The hierarchy of misses
Tennis is a Simple Game: Why Missing Long is Better than Missing in the Net or Wide
Tennis is simple, right? You see the ball, you move to the ball, and you hit the ball. Sounds easy! But anyone who’s picked up a racket knows it’s not. Tennis has become a game of strategy, not just skill. Instead of trying to hit the most winners, players focus on forcing their opponent to make mistakes. It’s like a mental tug-of-war—both players trying to get the other off balance.
Here’s the truth: everyone misses shots. Even the best players in the world make mistakes. The key is learning how to miss better. That’s where something called the "Hierarchy of Misses" comes in.
When I played tennis at Clemson, my coach, Chuck Kriese, drilled this into my head:
“Nothing wide, nothing in the net!”
This left me two options: hit the ball in the court or miss it long. Sounds strict, but it changed how I understood the game and helped me play smarter. Let me explain why.
The 3 Types of Misses
When you miss a shot, it usually falls into one of three categories:
In the Net
Wide
Long
Let’s break these down.
1. Missing in the Net
This is the worst kind of miss. Why? Because the first rule of tennis is this: the ball has to clear the net to have a chance of landing in the court. Missing in the net usually happens for a few reasons:
You’re not confident.
Your balance is off.
Your swing isn’t working right (maybe your wrist is too tight or too loose).
To stop missing in the net, focus on lifting the ball. Imagine you’re giving it a little extra “push” up and over. When you commit to getting the ball over the net, you can swing more freely. This makes your shots smoother and more consistent.
Plus, here’s a bonus: hitting the ball over the net puts pressure on your opponent. If you miss in the net, they don’t have to do anything—they just get the point. Don’t give them that advantage!
2. Missing Wide
Missing wide happens when your ball goes too far to the left or right. This mistake is often psychological. Maybe you’re trying to avoid a long rally and want to end the point quickly. You might even be going for a “highlight shot” that’s too risky.
My advice? Don’t go for too much too soon. Stick to playing high-percentage shots—shots that are more likely to land in the court.
A rally is like an argument. Keep the ball in play and make your opponent hit one more shot. If they win the point with an amazing shot, fine! That’s better than you giving it away by missing wide.
3. Missing Long
If you have to miss, missing long is the best option. Why? Because it shows you’re playing with confidence. Missing long usually happens because you’re swinging too hard or not using enough spin. Both of these are fixable.
When you miss long:
You’ve cleared the net, so you’re already doing better than if you missed in the net.
You’re hitting within the court’s boundaries, which means you’re not trying anything crazy.
To adjust, try adding more topspin to your shots. This helps the ball dip back down into the court. Missing long also means you’re finding your range—that “sweet spot” where your shots land in the court. You can’t figure this out if you’re constantly missing in the net or wide.
Coach Kriese’s Lesson
Coach Kriese’s advice—“Nothing wide, nothing in the net!”—is simple but powerful. It teaches you to focus on clearing the net and playing within the court. It also reminds you to stay patient and let your opponent make the mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Tennis might look simple, but it’s a game of strategy and patience. Learn to avoid missing in the net or wide, and if you’re going to miss, miss long. You’ll play with more confidence, keep the pressure on your opponent, and improve faster.
Thanks, Coach Kriese, for a lesson that sticks with me every time I step on the court.
